Gary Rowett's name is featuring prominently in the betting to be Stoke City's next manager following Mark Hughes' sacking.

Rowett has guided Derby County into second place in the Championship and given the job he has done so far, added to the job he did at Birmingham City, he deserves to be linked with a Premier League post.

That might be cause for concern for Derby supporters but it should be viewed as a compliment, and recognition things are going well for the club.

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It is same if one of the players is linked with a move to a top flight club.

So seeing Rowett in the betting and hearing he is thought to be on Stoke's radar is not a surprise.

It would be a surprise if he becomes Stoke manager, however, and here are five reasons why:

Derby County manager Gary Rowett

1) CURRENT LEAGUE POSITIONS

The current positions of both clubs in their respective tables is clear. Derby are second in the Championship and pushing strongly for a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2008. Stoke are in the Premier League relegation zone having won only five of 22 league games.

2) PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL

Derby have been in the promotion race at this stage of the season in each of the last four seasons only to fall short of the finish line. There is a growing feeling that this could be their season, down to the fact that Rowett has moulded a team that looks more capable of coping with the demands of the Championship. So he could find himself in the top flight next season with Derby.

3) UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Rowett strikes me as the type of person who, once he starts a job, he is both focused and determined to see it through. He has guided the Rams into a strong position and he would want to be the manager that ended the club's exile from the top flight.

4) MEL WON'T WANT TO LOSE HIM

Rams owner and chairman Mel Morris is thrilled with the job Rowett is doing and after some trial and error with managers in recent seasons, Morris is unlikely to let his manager go and would fight tooth and nail to keep him.

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Stoke have been in the Premier League since 2008 and the objectives for the new manager would be simple - get some results and stay in the division. That would suggest they need to look for a "firefighter", a manager experienced when it comes to the Premier League. Rowett has not managed in the top flight and so his appointment would be viewed by some as a bit of a gamble. Stoke are hoping to have the new man in place before the league game against Manchester United next Monday, which suggests they could be looking at somebody who is currently without a club.

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